Adipose Tissue and Metabolic Disease: USP-Ohio State Collaboration.

• Grant number: 25/24354-3
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: March 01, 2026
• End date: February 28, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physical Education
• Mobility Program: SPRINT - Projetos de pesquisa - Mobilidade
• Principal Investigator: Ellen Cristini de Freitas
• Grantee: Ellen Cristini de Freitas
• Principal researcher abroad: Kristin Stanford
• Institution abroad: Ohio State University , United States
• Host Institution: Escola de Educação Física e Esporte de Ribeirão Preto (EEFERP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• City of the host institution: Ribeirão Preto
• Associated research grant: 19/11820-5 - Nr1d1 function on the aging-associated Sarcopenia, AP.TEM

Abstract

This proposal supports a 6-day scientific mission to The Ohio State University (OSU) in 2026 to advance a collaborative program between the University of São Paulo (USP) and OSU on human adipose tissue biology in obesity. The collaboration is based on FAPESP-funded projects (process nos. 2019/11820-5, 2022/15078-4, 2022/00221-6, 2022/06638-6, 2024/10066-3), which study how multicomponent exercise training plus taurine supplementation affects adipose tissue remodeling, thermogenic activation, and metabolic function in women with obesity and sarcopenic obesity. During the mission, Professor Ellen Cristini de Freitas, Gabriela Ueta Ortiz, and Gabriela Ferreira Abud will (i) compare and integrate human adipose tissue datasets generated in Brazil and at OSU; (ii) align and standardize procedures for biopsy collection, tissue processing, molecular profiling, and metabolic phenotyping; and (iii) take part in the monitoring of pilot experiments using human adipose tissue models at OSU. The mission will also prepare a joint external grant proposal and plan a reciprocal visit of Professor Kristin Stanford and/or OSU trainees to USP for technical activities and training. Expected results include a shared set of operating procedures to be applied at both institutions, a draft co-authored manuscript based on integrated human data, and a defined plan for reciprocal mobility and continued joint funding. (AU)